Angling News
NW Angling News - to 13 July 2008
By Rory Sheehan
16, Jul 2008 - 17:46

River Moy

Angling on the River Moy improved on the previous week. Rains mid-week brought a rise in water levels and encouraged fish to run. The Moy Fishery had a good week with grilse beginning to show. On the Ridge Pool, Jack Charlton and Ray Bailey had a fish each. Michael Hayes had a grilse to the fly while German fly angler Henry Harendza banked two grilse. On the Cathedral Beat, Sean Prince, UK caught 2 salmon, the best at 8.5 lbs.

The Ballina Salmon Anglers’ water also enjoyed good fishing during the week. On the Mount Falcon Fishery, Vince Kaylor, UK, had 4 salmon for the week. A group of 4 UK anglers caught 6 salmon while fishing on the Coolcronan Fishery. On the Armstrong Fishery, 14 year old Navan Angler, Tom Clarke, caught his first salmon, a lovely fish of 14 lbs. Gannon’s Fishery produced the best salmon of the week, a cracking 15.75 lbs fish for Brian Larrigan while Welsh angler, Tom Jones, had 3 salmon. Stuart Sumnall, UK, caught and released a fine 15 lbs fish on the Foxford Fishery while 8 year old Sam Dardy caught his first salmon. The Cloongee Fishery produced 3 salmon for UK angler, Mick Archer, on Bubble & Fly and one grilse for regular German visitor, Klaus Lehmann. On the East Mayo Anglers’ Water, Mick Child, UK, caught 4 salmon all on the fly while Graham Child had 2 salmon to the worm.

Carrowmore Lake produced some of the best sea trout fishing seen there in over ten years and anglers enjoyed exceptional fishing. Anglers lucky enough to be fishing on the lake were rewarded with bags of sea trout as large as 100 fish for 2 people. Fish were hitting the flies extremely aggressively and hook-up rates were very good.

Ronnie Mayock and Tom McCarthy had the best of the fishing, they boated a staggering 100 sea trout and showed exemplary concern for conservation by releasing all. Visiting German angling journalist, Bernd Taller and boat partner had 44 sea trout (43 released) to 2 lbs and a fine brown trout of 2.5lbs. Larry McCarthy & Dermot O Hara caught 32 sea trout with 27 returned while J.J. Sullivan and boat partner from Meath caught 34 sea trout (23 released). Successful fly patterns included Claret Dabber, Bibio, Dunkeled, Clan Chief, Gosling, Claret Bumble & Green Peter.

Angling conditions on the river were ideal over the week and good catches were reported. On the Bangor Angling Club water, Richard Burgess caught and released a fine 12 lbs salmon while John Maughan from Bangor had an 8 lbs grilse.

Angling on Loughs Conn & Cullin was quiet as is the norm for this time of year. George Milford, UK and boat partner had 3 trout each for a total of 8 lbs, the best a 2.5 lbs fish. Peter Hynes, Limerick took two trout at 1.5 lbs each. Matt and Raymond O’ Connor, Offaly boated 4 fish, the best a fish at 1.5 lbs.

Northerly winds made angling conditions difficult on Lough Furnace over the week. Good numbers of salmon were holding in the lake and anglers caught fish. Martin McCoy, Derry caught two grilse of 4.5 and 4 lbs while Swiss anglers, Andreas Wulliman and Jean Paul Kauthen had grilse of 5 and 4.5 lbs. Again the Ally’s Cascade and Green Peter fly patterns continued to prove successful.

Angling on Lough Arrow picked up during the week with the start of the Green Peter fishing. Local anglers, Josey and David Gray had some fantastic fishing with David catching 3 fine brown trout of 6, 4.25 & 2.5 lbs and his father taking a nice 2.5 lbs fish. They also released a number of smaller fish. The fish have been taking Dry Green Peter patterns late in the evening between 10 and 11pm.

Ballisodare accounted for 159 salmon for the week with 111 released back to the river. The best fish of the week was caught on the fly by Vincent Henry, a 15lb salmon that was carefully released back in to the river. Seanie Maye also released a 9lb salmon which again fell to the fly while R Kelly had 2 salmon 4 & 5 lb on the worm.

Angling on the Moy Estuary remains steady with good numbers of sea trout holding there. Anglers fishing the fly and mackerel strip were rewarded with fish. A group of four fly anglers including UK angling journalist Chris McCully guided by Judd Ruane enjoyed exceptional sport on the estuary. Together they caught and released over 40 sea trout, biggest at 1.5 lbs. Most successful fly patterns were tandem lures and Gadget variants. Also on the Moy Estuary, Pete and Shirley Hannon had 5 trout up to 2 lbs.

The number of anglers fishing Ballin Lough improved this week and some good catches were recorded. Productive flies were the Green Peter, Butcher, Cats Whisker, Dabblers and Muddlers.

Pat and Denis Murphy from Castlebar had six trout, the best a 3.5 lbs fish while Martin McGuire from Newport had 4 trout, the best also 3.5lbs. To book fishing on this prolific trout fishery, contact Mrs. Gill on 098-26128